{"id":8555,"date":"2021-10-07T08:44:44","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T13:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cf.iisd.net\/itn\/?p=8555"},"modified":"2024-08-09T18:31:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T16:31:58","slug":"uncitral-wgiii-to-consider-proposals-on-various-elements-of-isds-reform-while-the-outcome-of-the-request-for-additional-funding-remains-to-be-seen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iisd.org\/itn\/2021\/10\/07\/uncitral-wgiii-to-consider-proposals-on-various-elements-of-isds-reform-while-the-outcome-of-the-request-for-additional-funding-remains-to-be-seen\/","title":{"rendered":"UNCITRAL WGIII to consider proposals on various elements of ISDS reform while the outcome of the request for additional funding remains to be seen"},"content":{"rendered":"

As we reported<\/a>, UNCITRAL<\/span> WGIII on ISDS<\/span> reform held its 40th session in May 2021, at which time delegates discussed a draft work and resourcing plan. Following this session, during which the document was adopted via silent procedure, the UNCITRAL Commission discussed the request for additional funding from the UN General Assembly in order to implement the draft working and resourcing plan during its 54th Session, held from June 28 to July 16, 2021.<\/p>\n

During the UNCITRAL Commission session, the proposal to request additional funding was supported by a majority of states including most developing countries, the EU<\/span>, Canada, and Australia. However, the proposal failed to reach the required consensus due to the resistance of other states, such as Russia, Belarus, Iran and Bahrain. The decision on the proposal for a request for additional resources was submitted to the silent procedure<\/a>. Additionally, several states, particularly developing countries, used the Commission meeting to reiterate concerns regarding the content of the revised work plan, including the need to accord sufficient time to cross-cutting issues and damages.<\/p>\n

While the final approval of the request for additional funds to the UN General Assembly has not yet been made official, the WGIII Secretariat continues to advance its work.<\/p>\n

This has included an informal webinar organized with the Academic Forum on Damages in ISDS on August 26, 2021, and the Intersessional Meeting on Procedural Rules Reform (virtual) hosted by the Republic of Korea from September 2 to 3, 2021.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the WGIII is also advancing with the drafting process on a number of areas of reform highlighted in the last version of the working and resources plan, discussed at the 40th Session. To that end, the UNCITRAL Secretariat has released<\/a> a set of documents to be discussed in the coming months. These include:<\/p>\n